Home / Health / Lung Cancer Rising in Non-Smokers
Lung Cancer Rising in Non-Smokers
12 Feb
Summary
- Lung cancer in never-smokers is rising and often diagnosed late.
- Non-smoker lung cancer cases doubled in the UK between 2008 and 2014.
- Screening resources heavily favor smokers, neglecting never-smokers.
Lung cancer diagnoses are escalating in patients who have never smoked, a trend that scientists warn is often identified at later stages, resulting in diminished patient prognoses. While smoking remains the primary cause of preventable cancer deaths globally, lung cancer in never-smokers represented the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide in 2020.
Research published in Trends in Cancer indicates that cases of lung cancer in non-smokers have notably increased. In the UK, these diagnoses doubled between 2008 and 2014. However, the allocation of screening resources disproportionately favors smokers. This imbalance means that lung cancer in never-smokers is frequently diagnosed late, impacting patient survival rates.
Scientists advocate for a new strategy to facilitate earlier detection of this cancer type, as many affected individuals do not fit the typical profile. Factors contributing to lung cancer in non-smokers include air pollution, exposure to specific industrial chemicals, and genetic predispositions, such as a family history of the disease. A review by University College London researchers calls for increased funding for both screening initiatives and research into the causes of lung cancer among those who have never smoked.
